Railroad Layout Software

[scottlamers]

Hello Everyone,

I'm looking for some options and opinions on railroad layout software.

I'm planning to build an HO layout approximately 13'x13' and looking for something that can help with seeing how its going to look and playing around with the whole operation.

I'd like to eliminate the 'free' ones off the bat as I expect the feature set to be somewhat limited.

I plan to use mostly flex track - not just the standard pieces.

Thoughts?

[Anonymous]

Well, the obvious thing is to eliminate the free ones, but despite that, go to http://www.sillub.com/ and try XtrkCad. The registration info is near the middle of the page. Do the demo under the help menu. The only thing I've found it doesn't do is 3-d rendering. It handles elevations, just doesn't draw a 3-d picture.

[Anonymous]

Dont be too hasty about eliminating the free planners. Jeff beat me to telling you about XtrkCad. Many a good layout (including mine) were planned with XtrkCad. Its the best free layout planner I have seen. You can even "run trains" on you track plan once you complete it to see if there is anything you want to change operationally. And yes, it does flex track as well as all of the sectional track. Turntables, turnouts, crossings, double-slip switches and all the special track is on there too.

[Anonymous]

The XtrkCad site does not list support for Windows XP use. Correct?

[ereimer]

QUOTE: Originally posted by niblick13bee

The XtrkCad site does not list support for Windows XP use. Correct?

they might not list XP but it works fine on mine

[bryanbell]

I've run it on both XP Home and XP Pro with no problems. It should run on any 32-bit Windows without any problems.

Bryan

[claycts]

3rd Planet WAS GOOD till it sort of went away. I have it and use it a lot. Does all the 3d stuff and exports to AutoCADD or Turbo Cad for final design work. The other I have heard about that is good is CAD RAIL Have a copy but have not played with it yet.
Merry Christmas
George P.

[Anonymous]

Is 3rd PlanIt really dead? I just sent an e-Mail off to them and am awaiting a response. If they did go under, its too bad, because I was ready to purchase their software. Any other strong CAD competetors on the market. CAD rail is the only other one I know of. I really want the strong space planning, terrain, track and 3D renderings that 3rd PlanIt offered.

[Anonymous]

3rd planit isn't dead. It just moved to a new domain name. http://www.trackplanning.com
I just tried it now to make sure.

[CharlieBedard]

I have been using CADRail for a few years now. If you're designing a layout and want to do things like spiral easements and want precise placements of turnouts to ensure smooth operation a CAD program like CADRail is easily worth the money.

Once I learned how to use it, I began using it to draw out plenty of non-RR projects around the house :-).

Charlie